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Sri Lanka former president calls on Modi despite boycott call

May 12, 2017 09:36 AM GMT+0530 | 0 Comment(s)

ECONOMYNEXT - Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa requested and secured a meeting with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite his party’s call to boycott the Indian prime minister’s visit.

Indian diplomats told reporters in Colombo on Thursday night that Rajapaksa sought an appointment for a call on Modi and it was granted. “It was a cordial meeting,” an Indian diplomat said without going into details.

On May Day, Rajapaksa’s Joint Opposition stalwart Wimal Weerawansa had called for a black flag campaign to protest

Modi’s visit accusing the Indian leader of trying to take over vast areas of land in the eastern port district of Trincomalee.

Rajapaksa himself told the large crowd that India was not only interested in the World war !! era oil storage tanks at China Bay, but eyeing some 1,000 acres of land in Trincomalee.

However, after his meeting, Rajapaksa said he was happy to meet with Modi.

"As always, a cordial meeting with PM @narendramodi yesterday. Happy to see him in #SriLanka for International Vesak Day Celebrations. #India,” Rajapaksa said on twitter. He did not say if his objections to India’s presence in Trincomalee was taken up for discussion. (COLOMBO, May 12, 2017)